Homestead Exemption

Homestead tax exemptions exempt a certain dollar amount or percentage of home value from property taxes. They’re called “homestead” exemptions because they apply to primary residences, not rental properties or investment properties. You must live in the home to qualify for the tax break.

Some states exempt a certain percentage of a home's value from property taxes, while other states exempt a set dollar amount. If your state uses a percentage method, the exemption will be more valuable to homeowners with more valuable homes. If your state uses a flat dollar amount for its exemption, the exemption will be more valuable to homeowners with less expensive homes.

Ready for an example? To keep things simple, let’s say the assessed value of your home is $200,000 and your property tax rate is 1%. Your property tax bill would equal $2,000. But if you were eligible for a homestead tax exemption of $50,000, the taxable value of your home would drop to $150,000, meaning your tax bill would drop to $1,500.

In some states, you’ll get a bigger homestead exemption if your income is low, you’re a senior or you have a disability. In most cases, these exemptions can’t be combined if you fall into more than one category. Some states also set an upper limit on the value of homes that can qualify for exemptions.

Forty-six states use homestead tax exemptions to decrease the real estate tax burden on homeowners. State governments can’t directly affect property tax rates because rates are set at the local level, so state-wide homestead tax exemptions are a way for state governments to lower property tax bills indirectly. They do this to encourage homeownership, keep residents happy and give a property tax discount to people in need of a tax break.

If you qualify, a homestead tax exemption can be a much-needed boon to your budget. Be sure to comply with state and local rules for claiming the tax exemption and submit your application for a homestead exemption (if an application is required) in a timely manner. In some counties, scammers have fraudulently requested payment for filing these applications, so be wary of such schemes and go directly to the county tax assessor or state government for applications and issues related to homestead tax exemptions.